Digital Literacy

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2025/05
Institute / School :Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Unit Title: Digital Literacy
Unit ID: ITECH1500
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): (GPSIT1100 and ITECH1100 and ITECH5100)
ASCED: 029999
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit
This unit provides students with a broad foundation in Information Technology (IT), and establishes its context in society currently, historically and into the future. Students will develop an understanding of IT as a process that collects, stores, transports and transforms data to provide information and streamline practices. The unit introduces students to topics such as hardware, software, operating systems, input and output, data storage and manipulation, coding, networking and security, and privacy. Students will also develop skills in using digital tools and systems for professional and academic communication.
Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component: No
Supplementary Assessment:
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                        
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Explain the historical evolution of IT and the digital revolution, including key milestones and technological shifts in networking, hardware and software components

K2.

Articulate the multifaceted impact of IT on broader societies, considering its influence on culture, ethics, economics, and governance, while also exploring future trends and challenges

K3.

Relate the significance of data and knowledge to key information systems, emphasising their role in enabling data-driven decision-making to achieve organisational objectives

K4.

Identify strategic applications of emerging technologies across various industries, highlighting their potential for transformation and impact on innovation and competitiveness

Skills:
S1.

Formulate basic programming logic such as text transformation for simple data manipulation

S2.

Interpret and construct representations of business data flow and processes, utilising modelling techniques to visualise operational workflows

S3.

Describe the legal and ethical considerations, including IT security and privacy and their implications for responsible technology use and decision-making

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Identify complex problems in authentic business scenarios to propose various solutions and justify those decisions

A2.

Utilise business information software for data visualisation and analysis, extracting valuable insights to inform strategic decision-making and enhance organisational performance

Unit Content:

Topics may include:
1. Technical and academic communication in the digital age
2. The evolution of technology, and trends for the future;
3. IT Past, Present & Future;
4. IT Architecture, Infrastructure, and Systems;
5. IT in context and Industry use;
6. Software Development
7. Ethical, Legal and Green Issues for IT;
8. Social Media;
9. Networks, Security & Privacy;
10. IT Project, Product, and Service Management

Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Level
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in:

•   Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication

•   Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening

•   Showing empathy for others

•   Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills

•   Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

N/A - Not Applicable
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Creating a collegial environment

•   Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect

•   Inspiring and convincing others

•   Making informed decisions

•   Displaying initiative

N/A - Not Applicable
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Reflecting critically

•   Evaluating ideas, concepts and information

•   Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas

•   Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts

•   Forming creative solutions in problem solving.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information

•   Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely

•   Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media

•   Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups

•   Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts

•   Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen

•   Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses

•   Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others

•   Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.

N/A - Not Applicable
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.K3, K4, S1, S2, A1, A2

Develop and communicate a basic solution to a business problem.

Assignment

30% - 40%

2.K4, S3

Collect resources and brainstorm a proposal to disrupt to an industry using emerging information technologies. Present the proposal using a variety of digital media, supported by appropriate analysis.

Report and associated digital media

30% - 40%

3.K1, K2, K4, S1, S2, S3

Tests covering a range of taught IT-related topics.

Tests

20% - 40%

4.S1, S2, S3, A2

Complete laboratory activities and engage in in-class discussions synchronously or asynchronously as appropriate

Participation in laboratories

5%-10%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency